www.gov.uk/englandcoastpath England Coast Path Stretch: Wallasea Island to Burnham-on-Crouch Report WIB 2: Ferry Road, Hullbridge to Hawk Hill, Battlesbridge Part 2.1: Introduction Start Point: Ferry Road, Hullbridge (Grid reference TQ 8098 9554) End Point: Hawk Hill, Battlesbridge (Grid reference TQ 7806 9467) Relevant Maps: WIB 2a to WIB 2b 2.1.1 This is one of a series of linked but legally separate reports published by Natural England under section 51 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, which make proposals to the Secretary of State for improved public access along and to this stretch of coast between Wallasea Island and Burnham-on-Crouch. 2.1.2 This report covers length WIB 2 of the stretch, which is the coast between Ferry Road, Hullbridge and Hawk Hill, Battlesbridge. It makes free-standing statutory proposals for this part of the stretch, and seeks approval for them by the Secretary of State in their own right under section 52 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. 2.1.3 The report explains how we propose to implement the England Coast Path (“the trail”) on this part of the stretch, and details the likely consequences in terms of the wider ‘Coastal Margin’ that will be created if our proposals are approved by the Secretary of State. Our report also sets out: any proposals we think are necessary for restricting or excluding coastal access rights to address particular issues, in line with the powers in the legislation; and any proposed powers for the trail to be capable of being relocated on particular sections (“roll- back”), if this proves necessary in the future because of coastal change. 2.1.4 There is also a single Overview document for the whole of this stretch of coast, explaining common principles and background. This and the other individual reports relating to the stretch should be read in conjunction with the Overview. The Overview explains, among other things, how we have considered any potential environmental impacts of improving public access to this part of the coast, and this report, and other separately published assessments we refer to, then provides more detail on these aspects where appropriate. 1 England Coast Path | Wallasea Island to Burnham-on-Crouch | WIB 2: Ferry Road, Hullbridge to Hawk Hill, Battlesbridge Part 2.2: Proposals Narrative The trail: 2.2.1 Generally follows existing walked routes along most of this length, including public rights of way, and includes a new section of path. 2.2.2 Mainly follows the coastline quite closely and maintains good views of the estuary except between WIB-2-S028 to WIB-2-S040 where a short inland alignment was necessary to avoid residential and commercial properties. 2.2.3 Includes one section of new path, in Battlesbridge. This will connect the Public Right of Way (PRoW) at WIB-2-S027 to Hawk Hill at WIB-2-S038. See map WIB 2b and associated tables below for details. Protection of the environment: In this part of the report, we explain how we have taken account of environmental protection objectives in developing our proposals for improved coastal access. 2.2.4 The following designated sites affect this length of coast: Crouch and Roach Estuaries SPA Crouch and Roach Estuaries Ramsar Essex Estuaries SAC Blackwater, Crouch, Roach and Colne Estuaries MCZ Crouch and Roach Estuaries SSSI 2.2.5. We consider that the coastal environment, including features of the site listed above, along this length of coast is unlikely to be sensitive to the improvements to coastal access envisaged and that no special measures are needed in respect of our proposals. 2.2.6 Natural England is satisfied that the proposals for coastal access in this report are made in accordance with relevant environmental protection legislation. For more information about how we came to this conclusion in respect of the natural environment, see the following assessments of the access proposals that we have published separately: A Habitats Regulations Assessment relating to any potential impact on the conservation objectives of European sites. Our Nature Conservation Assessment, in which we document our conclusions in relation to other potential impacts on nature conservation. Part 6b of the Overview includes some contextual information about protecting the environment along this length of coast. Accessibility: 2.2.7 There are few artificial barriers to accessibility on the proposed route. However, the natural coastal terrain is often challenging and this is the case on sections of our proposed route because: The trail would follow an uneven grass or bare soil path along the sea wall, field edges and PRoW for much of its route. Where necessary, redundant structures that may present an obstacle are to be removed. 2 England Coast Path | Wallasea Island to Burnham-on-Crouch | WIB 2: Ferry Road, Hullbridge to Hawk Hill, Battlesbridge There are steps in two locations (Map WIB 2b, sections WIB-2-S022 and at the junction of WIB- 2-S027 with S028) where it would be necessary to ascend/descend the sea wall. When the trail is established, the design brief will review if steps are the only practical option in these locations. See part 6a of the Overview - ‘Recreational issues’ - for more information. Where we have proposed exercising statutory discretions: 2.2.8 Estuary: This report proposes that the trail should contain sections aligned on the estuary of the River Crouch, extending upstream from the open coast. Natural England proposes to exercise its functions as if the sea included the estuarial waters of that river as far as Hawk Hill Bridge in Battlesbridge, as indicated by the extent of the trail shown on maps WIB 2a and WIB 2b and Map A2 of the Overview. See part 5 of the Overview for a detailed analysis of the options considered for this estuary and our resulting proposals. 2.2.9 Landward boundary of the coastal margin: We have used our discretion on some sections of the route to map the landward extent of the coastal margin to an adjacent physical boundary such as a fence line, pavement or track to make the extent of the new access rights clearer. See Table 2.3.1 below. 2.2.10 At WIB-2-S027 we have used this discretion to limit the landward extent of the coastal margin to the landward top edge of the seawall. This has had the effect of reducing the amount of coastal margin that would have otherwise been available by default. This option provides the most clarity because: There is no clear boundary feature at the bottom of the seawall that could mark the boundary of the coastal margin, but the break in slope provides an easily identifiable boundary for access users. 2.2.11 In one place, Kendal Park Nature Reserve in Hullbridge, we have used our discretion to propose the inclusion of additional, more extensive landward areas within the coastal margin, to secure or enhance public enjoyment of this part of the coast. The owner of this land, Hullbridge Parish Council, is content for us to propose this. 2.2.12 The Proposals Tables show where we are proposing to alter the default landward boundary of the coastal margin. These proposals are set out in columns 5b and 5c of table 2.3.1. Where these columns are left blank, we are making no such proposals, so the default landward boundary applies. See the note relating to Columns 5b & 5c [above Table 2.3.1] explaining what this means in practice. See also part 3 of the Overview - ‘Understanding the proposals and accompanying maps’, for a more detailed explanation of the default extent of the coastal margin and how we may use our discretion to adjust the margin, either to add land or to provide clarity. 2.2.13 Restrictions and/or exclusions: We have proposed to exclude access by direction under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000) in certain places along this section of coast. Exclusion of access to the saltmarsh and flats at River Crouch. 2.2.14 Access to the saltmarsh and flats in the coastal margin seaward of route sections WIB-2-S001 – WIB-2-S040 is to be excluded all year-round by direction under s25A of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000) as it is unsuitable for public access. The exclusion does not affect the route itself and will have no legal effect on land where coastal access rights do not apply. 3 England Coast Path | Wallasea Island to Burnham-on-Crouch | WIB 2: Ferry Road, Hullbridge to Hawk Hill, Battlesbridge 2.2.15 The saltmarsh and flats at this location is uneven and wet underfoot and contains many creeks and channels, some of which would not be readily apparent to walkers and which can pose a significant risk or may cause walkers unfamiliar with the area to become cut off from the mainland. 2.2.16 These directions will not prevent or affect: any existing local use of the land by right: such use is not covered by coastal access rights; any other use people already make of the land locally by formal agreement with the landowner, or by informal permission or traditional toleration; or use of any registered rights of common or any rights at common law or by Royal Charter etc. Any such use is not prohibited or limited by these arrangements. 2.2.17 The directions we give are intended to avoid any new public rights being created over the area in question in view of the hidden dangers of saltmarsh and flats.